Does a Home Warranty Cover Washer and Dryer?

Most home warranty plans cover washer and dryer failures caused by normal wear and tear, but coverage is not universal: it depends on the plan tier, the per-item cap, and the exclusions list. Pre-existing problems and code-upgrade costs are almost always excluded. Below is what is typically covered, what is typically excluded, and the contract language to watch for before you assume a repair is covered.

What is typically covered

Mechanical and electrical failure of the clothes washer and dryer due to normal wear, on appliance or combo plans
Motors, pumps, timers, drive belts, and control boards on the covered units
Gas and electric dryers tied to the covered laundry system on plans that name them
Both units when the plan covers a matched laundry pair as covered appliances

What is typically excluded

Pre-existing failures and units not included on a systems-only plan
Venting, hoses, lint screens, knobs, and door or lid seals
Damage from overloading, improper use, or improper prior installation
Cosmetic damage and costs above the per-item cap

Common claim scenarios

A washer drive motor fails from normal wear on a combo plan; the plan covers the repair up to the cap and the homeowner pays the service-call fee
A dryer control board fails; covered as a normal wear claim on an appliance or combo plan
A washer fails on a systems-only plan that excludes laundry appliances; not covered

How the major plans treat washer and dryer

Across the major home warranty plans in this market, roughly 3 include washer and dryer as standard coverage, 7 cover it conditionally (subject to a higher tier or a paid add-on), and 0 exclude it entirely. The pattern matters more than any single plan's name: it tells you whether washer and dryer is a standard inclusion in this category or something you have to shop for specifically.

Status reflects standard plan terms across the leading plans filed in the US market. "Conditional" means coverage depends on the plan tier or a paid add-on. Always confirm current terms in the sample contract before buying.

What to watch for in the policy language

Whether laundry appliances are on the appliance or combo tier rather than a systems-only plan
Per-item caps and whether the washer and dryer share one combined cap
Lack-of-maintenance and overloading denial language in the contract

Does every home warranty cover washer and dryer?

No. Washer and Dryer coverage varies by plan tier and by contract. Some plans cover it on every tier, others only on a systems or combo tier, and a few exclude it entirely or sell it as a paid add-on. Read the sample contract's covered-items list and its exclusions section before assuming a repair will be covered.

What is usually excluded for washer and dryer?

Pre-existing failures and units not included on a systems-only plan Read the contract's exclusion section before you assume a repair is covered.

Will the warranty pay the full repair cost?

Not always. Most plans apply a per-item or per-system annual dollar cap, and you still pay the service-call fee per visit. A large washer and dryer repair can exceed a low cap, leaving you to cover the difference.

Sources

Cinch Home Services sample laundry coverage terms (Provider plan page, accessed 2026-05)
First American Home Warranty plan coverage details (Provider plan page, accessed 2026-05)

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